BALANGA CITY, Bataan – The Bataan Mayors’ League headed by Mayor Tonypep Raymundo Jr. of Orion town has passed a resolution urging the transfer of the Land Transportation Office from this city to the newly-constructed Bataan Government Center in Pilar town.

In its resolution No. 1-2007, the Mayor’s League reiterated its earlier stand for the transfer of LTO to Pilar town, saying they” vehemently reiterating the support to transfer the present LTO from the Capitol compound to Bataan Government Center.”

Earlier, Bataeños headed by Gov. Enrique “Tet” Garcia expressed strong opposition on the proposed transfer of LTO to Dinalupihan town, located in the most northern part of Bataan, as this will certainly prejudice Bataenos, particularly those from the province’s 2nd district.

Gov. Garcia has also written DOTC secretary Leandro Mendoza, for his opposition on the reported transfer of LTO to Dinalupihan town. Gov. Garcia told Mendoza that “while its is true that the present site of LTO in Capitol compound here will be used for construction of new Bataan provincial jail, arrangements are already in place for its transfer, at no cost to LTO, to the proposed Government Center in Pilar town.”

The Governor added that although he has no objection in putting up an LTO branch in Dinalupihan town but not, he said, transfer the whole LTO in that northern most town.

The Mayor’s league said that the Bataan Government center in Pilar town, will open additional avenues for development to the host municipality of Pilar considering its distance and geographical advantage.

Gov. Garcia added in his letter “Thus, the Provincial Government of Bataan and the Municipality of Pilar have prioritized the construction of buildings and facilities allocated for the use of the LTO, among other government agencies.”

Earlier, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Bataan and the Municipal Council of Pilar had passed a resolution supporting the transfer of the LTO office in the sprawling government center in Pilar town.

Supportive of the Mayors’ League position, Congressman Abet S. Garcia, 2nd district, also smells politics as behind the move to transfer LTO to Dinalupihan, as he appealed to DOTC and LTO officials to be reasonable and look after the welfare of the majority of the people.

For his part, Wilfredo Tajonera, LTO chief here, also said that transferring their office to Dinalupihan is so far and will severely affect the great majority of the people in Bataan.

“We are therefore requesting your intercession on this matter to stop the transfer of the LTO branch from Balanga to Dinalupihan and Direct the transfer there to the Government Center in Pilar for the best interest of all the parties including your agency,” Gov. Garcia told Mendoza.